How to hire a consultant
The decision to hire an outside expert to help your organisation in a specific area is always important. Although good outside consultants can provide you with invaluable service, the most difficult task is selecting the right person for the job. There are consultants - and there are consultants; and they can also be expensive. So, in choosing one, always remember the well-proven caveat ‘Let the buyer beware!’ As well, the following advice will prove helpful...
1. Know exactly why you are using a consultant.
External consultants are brought in for a variety of reasons - to solve problems, give advice, perform specialised services, inject expertise currently lacking in the organisation, bring about change, and so on. Presumably no one in your organisation possesses the required knowledge or expertise and, for that reason, you are prepared to pay for this short term service. Consultants are usually able to see the wood through the trees; are usually seen by employees as being more credible and impartial; and their recommendations are often more readily accepted by the rank and file. But remember this key point: the consultant’s job is to provide you with the best advice to enable you to make the final decision.
2. Identify your needs and what you want from the consultant.
To consider using a consultant, you must first take the time to determine the following:
- Why are we using a consultant? Identify a problem or a need. Remember that it is important to define your problem in enough detail to target the kind of consultant you’ll be requiring. And be warned: in the process of defining, you can also fall into the common trap of dictating, or partially stating, a solution to the consultant. Never use consultants to substantiate pre-conceived points of view, practices, or ideas. Simply determine the problem you want solved and set about hiring an expert to find the best solution.
- What are the specific areas of the project or effort the consultant will work on?
- What are your expectations of the consultant?
- How will the consultant's performance be evaluated?
- Who will be working with the consultant?
- What are the roles of those working with the consultant? What is the role of the consultant?
- What is the approximate budget we can allocate to the project?
- What is the timetable for the project?
- Will there be any flexibility for changing direction midstream?
3. Shop around.
Finding the right consultant means playing detective: some are self-employed, some are associated with large consulting firms, others are affiliated with universities. Don’t accept just any consultant who comes along. Be wary of those offering standard or prepared packages which might not be able to meet your specific needs. Check out the Yellow Pages, your network of colleagues, directories of consultants in libraries or on the internet, professional or technical associations, and universities. In Australia, you can get lists of consultants from the Institute of Management Consultants, email: imc@imc.org.au.
